by The Happy WAHM
Exactly nine years ago today, I walked out of the Digitel building in Libis for the last time. I went there to return my service vehicle and take care of my clearance and last pay. My husband went with me as he was bracing for a meltdown. He knew how much I loved my career, and he wasn’t sure how I’d handle letting go of it.
On this scorching hot afternoon, while browsing through my Facebook feed, I got alerted that today is my 9th anniversary as a WAHM entrepreneur. Well, the entrepreneur part came much later. But today, I’m just amazed that I have forgotten about my WAHM anniversary. Like I’ve always been a WAHM and there was no beginning, you know? How time flies when you’re having fun! And fun is exactly what I’m having! The corporate life I have loved so much is just but a distant memory.
I have not blogged for weeks, as I have been busy doing the things I love, and enjoying myself immensely in discovering new possibilities, but in honor of my ninth anniversary, I’m going to share what I’ve so far learned in my journey as a WAHM entrepreneur.
Here’s my list, which can also be taken as my advice to those who want to join me in the journey:
- Take your time. Have an idea? Let it sink in. Sleep on it. Gauge your happiness level about it. If you’re not 100% sure that it’s for you, don’t take it. There will always be another opportunity.
- Be a people person. More than the money, it is the relationships that you build that will bring your business the boost it needs to succeed.
- Work hard, then work smart. Success takes hard work and commitment. But you don’t have to do all the work. Learn the value of delegation.
- Never worry about competition. Stop comparing. Just know who you are, know what you want, know your purpose and do your best to achieve your goals.
- NEVER compete on price. Know how much your time and effort are worth, and charge accordingly. Compete on service and quality, not price.
- Get a mentor. Listen to people who can show you results, not theories; people who have been successful in doing the advice they’re giving. While their paths may not be the same as yours, at least you know that they know what they’re talking about.
- Network. Be the person even your competitors go to for answers and assistance. My favorite word is collaborate.
- Commit mistakes. Don’t be paralyzed with fear. Note that this is different from taking your time. By committing mistakes I’m saying that even when you are making informed decisions, you can still be wrong about it. So it’s okay to be wrong. Just make sure that you learn from that mistake, correct your course, and make adjustments to the earlier decision.
- Write a plan. And I literally mean write, because that’s what I do. I know what business I want, who my target customers are, and how I’ll go about my processes. So I write them down, and I tweak as I go.
- Be money-wise. Buy what you need, not what you want. You don’t have to show off your success by having the latest gadgets in the market, or wearing the most expensive watch. Let your bank balance do the talking.
- Be with people who are your kind of crazy. Seriously. There’s nothing more stressful than working with people who cannot even appreciate your brand of quirkiness.
- HAVE FUN! ‘Nuff said.
So there! These are the things that have worked for me in the last nine years. Maybe they’ll work for you, too!
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by The Happy WAHM
Last Monday, April 13, my favorite firstborn and I had our first summer fun date. More like a treat for her high school graduation, really. Gosh! I can’t believe we’ll have a college student this June, and she’s only 15!
Since she has been attending regular school, she really missed out on a lot of field trips and dates that I had with her two younger siblings, who are still homeschooled. But for the few times that she took a trip with me to the city, it has always been for something connected to arts and crafting, like the crochet workshop that she asked as her birthday present last October.
So when she learned that I had been invited by Memory Crafters to the media launch of the Summer Art Sessions by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, she jumped at the chance to go with me.
Launched in partnership with Manila Workshops, Tuscany at McKinley Hill’s Summer Art Sessions is a weekend arts and crafts workshop series happening every Sunday beginning April 19 and will run until May 10, from 1PM – 5PM.
Summer Art Sessions is open to all arts and crafts enthusiasts and will be led by some of Manila’s finest artists, who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise in a variety of workshops to be held at several restaurants in Tuscany.
Fun and exciting art activities await those who will register including workshops on the basics of doodling with WeeWillDoodle founder Nelz Yumul at Lucky’s Burger Bar, and Basic Paper Cutting by Hey Kessy at Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes.
Those who are into calligraphy can take part in the Basic Brush Calligraphy class of Mimai Cabugnason, also known as Sharkmaine in the art scene, at Marciano’s, while those who would like to learn how to do their own rubber stamps can go to the Rubber Stamping class by Manila Workshops at Sophie’s Mom.
More fun art workshops await aspiring artists at the Summer Art Sessions including an Acrylic and Oil Workshop by The Artologist at the Sauceria. Meanwhile, Do-It-Yourself guru Nica Cosio will be sharing lessons on how to spruce up one’s own tote bag at her DIY Tote Bag Designing class happening at Sophie’s Mom.
Aside from fun and learning-filled art classes, sumptuous dishes and treats will also be served during the workshops. Moreover, Josh Villena of pop band Autotelic will be serenading participants during the first edition of the workshop series on April 19.
Those who would like to join the Tuscany at McKinley Hill’s Summer Art Sessions can register now by logging on to Manila Workshops at manilaworkshops.com or by calling 0926-6167720.
Registration fee of P2,000 per session is inclusive of food, art kits and materials. Limited slots are available per workshop, so better register early.
As for me and my girls, we are hoping to attend the Acrylic and Oil Workshop by The Artologist, and the Rubber Stamping class by Nica Cosio.
My firstborn has been practicing the basic brush calligraphy that she learned at the launch, and sharing the knowledge with her younger sister. The mommy in me is hopeful, though, that we can explore partnerships with StabiloPH to support my middlechild’s passion for arts, because at 9, she drew this…
And at 11, she made this…
I’ve also featured some of her art here, here and here. I believe she’s a natural, and I support her passion wholeheartedly. We just need a little extra boost on the resources. 🙂
But anyway…
Kudos to Marciano’s for the sumptuous food that we shared at the launch. So sumptuous that I only have one photo to show. As I always say, I’ll never be a food blogger. Ha ha!
So again, I invite you to check out these cool Summer Art Sessions and don’t forget to use my code – CBTUSCANY-THW – when you register.
Hope to see you there!
by The Happy WAHM
What’s Mpowered, you ask?
Marge-powered!
No, just kidding. It’s a word that the organizers have coined for this workshop on empowering women in financial management, or money, for that matter. It’s about women and money. The role that women play in managing the household budget, and how most, if not all, are not really equipped, or ready, to take on the challenge of managing their hard-earned money. So the Learning Curve came up with this workshop that will not only empower women on better money management, but also teach them how to invest. And believe you me, this workshop is a gem.
Why do I say so?
Because I’ve been there, and done that.
No, not the workshop. The investing part.
As a WAHM, the biggest challenge for me is the financial stability. Any freelancer can relate to this.
You don’t get medical insurance coverage from your clients, you don’t get to enjoy paid leaves, you don’t have a retirement package, and you have to allocate your own budget for repair of your equipment.
You will not believe how mentally draining financial worries can be. I know, because I’ve been through these worries twice in the last 15 years. If you have been reading my blog, then you know. And in a few months, we’ll be sending our firstborn to college. So add that to my tab of items to worry about.
But I know that we are going to be just fine, because I am fortunate enough to have learned financial management early in my life. I even have my own WAHM Guide to Better Money Management, but that’s another story. Those who have attended my most recent VA Success Workshop are already familiar with it. 🙂
For now, I just want to invite you to this awesome giveaway, and you better join early and amass as many entries as you can, as this will run for only four days! I know… short time to run a giveaway, right?
God hath given to man a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends. – Jeremy Taylor
And that’s how I feel about this giveaway. This workshop can be life-changing, no exaggeration.
Don’t believe me? Head over HERE to find all the details about this workshop.
Then come back here and be one of the two (2) lucky winners of these free seats worth PHP2,500 each! I will be announcing the winners on March 18.
May you be blessed!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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by The Happy WAHM
Been meaning to share my DIY hobby corner since the day we had it set up, but have not had the time to take photos of what’s actually in my kits, until this morning.
I like working with my hands. Since I was little, I’ve been sewing by hand. Daughter of a seamstress, of course I know how to sew. But never really liked using the sewing machine. It intimidates me. And besides, our Home Economics and Practical Arts teachers required us to sew by hand, simply because public schools didn’t have sewing machines then.
Then my mother-in-law gifted me with a Singer sewing and embroidery machine. Since then, I’ve been wanting to really use it regularly, but the limited space in our home had me keep the machine in its box, only taking it out when I have a project to do, like sewing new curtains for Christmas, or making little items for give-aways.
So when, finally, I settled in my new home office, I decided that I’d put up a hobby corner, too. I just want to have all my things in one place, you know. I want my hobbies to be within my reach, that when I start to feel tired of the humdrum of my work, I can just reach for a needle and sew.
I asked for the husband’s help in setting it up, of course. I had a small table made for the sewing machine. Then we installed braces on the wall for the open shelves. Hubby’s pretty handy with the electric drill. Got the braces from Wilcon Home Depot.
We bought a piece of marine plywood from the construction supply store and had them sanded. The original plan was to have them stained after sanding, then cover with varnish for a shiny finish. But I changed my mind when I realized that it would take longer to complete the project because we would have to wait a long time for the smell of varnish to dissipate.
I already have self-adhesive laminating sheets which I used to line my office table drawers, so I thought, maybe we could use it to cover the wood planks.
Husband took care of the measurements, and I took care of putting on the laminate.
We bought some covered trays that I saw from SM Hypermart and started putting all my hobby stuff in them.
I have a growing stash of yarns for my new-found passion, crocheting, which was introduced to me by my daughter.
But I will never forget my jewelry-making hobby, which I started back when I was still in corporate. I used to accept bulk orders from OFWs, who sell the stuff to their bosses. I also remember making the bracelets and necklaces for the secondary sponsors in my brother’s wedding.
The materials I used ranged from semi-precious stones, to German stones, to polymer clays.
I still have some Swarovski crystals left, which I’m keeping for my daughters.
So this is how my hobby corner looks like now. I just have to turn my office swivel chair, and I can be sewing, or darning, or crocheting, in no time! The only items not in here are the cross-stitch materials that I have already handed over to my middlechild.
I’m sure I’ll have lots of crochet projects to make, thanks to Mrs P. Cuyugan of Mrs C’s Sugarcoated Life, who gave my daughter (not me, mind you!) five amazing pattern magazines. Take a peek at what’s inside and be excited with me!
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by The Happy WAHM
Been sharing a lot of my family’s random conversations on my Facebook profile, and some of them are just too long for a status update that I have to edit heavily on the content. On the way to the grocery for an unscheduled shopping this afternoon, husband and I again got into fits of laughter over something. And while still trying to catch my breath, I said: This one is going to be my status later. Or maybe this can be a blog post.
So here I am, back from an unscheduled shopping, writing an unscheduled post on what I always talk about: finding your happiness.
The husband broke our coffeemaker’s glass decanter this morning. Accidentally dropped it, and it broke into a thousand pieces. However busy my Saturdays are, not having a coffeemaker on Sunday morning will be a violation of our motto: Everything gets better with coffee. So off we went for a not-so-short drive to the city to get a replacement.
Before we left, I asked for my eldest daughter’s help over some tasks that I need to accomplish for today: creating images on Canva for a site I’m working on.
During the drive, we started talking about our kids, and the choices they are making, the directions they are taking.
So here’s the conversation:
Me: I think that’s a good exercise for her, give her an idea if she’s going to enjoy working on graphics. And she can play around with WordPress and online stores.
Hubby: Ako, Marge? Kelan mo ituturo sa ‘kin yong shopping cart?
Me: Ah, ‘yon. I’m just waiting for you to sit beside me. You’re always busy with other things. And I don’t want to force the issue. You know, we really have to talk about what you will do with your website. We need to diversify.
Hubby: Yeah. ‘Yong sinasabi mo na online shop.
Me: That’s one thing. But it’s not you. We need to find your core. I mean, palagi ‘yan ang sinasabi ko sa mga workshops ko. Find your core. Find your happiness. Create opportunities. Tapos di ko ma-apply sa asawa ko. I want you to be happy with what you’re doing. I don’t want you to do things just for the money. It has to be something that you really enjoy, because it will be long-term. Only make money with what you love to do.
Hubby: Okay naman ako sa ginagawa ko ngayon, Marge.
Me: Yes, but that’s not long term. We are not sure how long your engagement will last. And we can’t have all our eggs in one basket. We need to establish something that is really for you. Something that has your personality in it.
Hubby: ‘Yong online store, paano ba ‘yon?
Me: Well, you need to have items kasi for that. Products or service. But I don’t think it’s for you. Let’s start from the beginning nga. Tell me, what’s your happiness?
Hubby: YOU.
And he wants to learn how to set up an online store.
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